When a child is ill, it can be simple: as long as they receive enough love and attention, they will recover in a few days. Every parent’s worst nightmare, though, is when the illness turns out to be more severe than you initially suspected.
Mckenzie Watson, 5, began to have a bigger face and tummy, and his parents thought he had gained a few pounds (sweets will do that). The situation worsened though, and 11 days after being brought to the hospital, they discovered the true cause: Mckenzie’s lungs were leaking, causing fluid to accumulate in his abdomen. Nephrotic syndrome, a kidney condition, was identified as his diagnosis.
At his worst, Mckenzie appeared “as though he was nine months pregnant and about to bust,” according to Mckenzie’s mother, Antonia Watson of Doncaster, England, who spoke to Daily Mail.
She said, “It was really alarming because his skin was so tight, like it were a completely formed bulge.
Nephrotic syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic, is typically brought on by damage to the tiny blood capillaries in the kidneys that filter waste and extra water from your blood. As a result, too much protein is secreted, which causes swelling (along with Mckenzie’s facial and stomach inflammation, this swelling is frequently seen in the feet, ankles, and legs).
According to the American Kidney Fund, nephrotic syndrome affects about 2 out of every 10,000 children and is most prevalent in children between the ages of 2 and 6. The disorder’s symptoms can be managed with blood thinners, other drugs, or chemotherapy, but there is currently no proven treatment for it.
The worst part, according to Watson, 26, is that it hurts Mckenzie terribly. He is currently undergoing an eight-week chemotherapy regimen, which will compromise his immune system.
To stop his kidneys from leaking protein, “we have to give him steroids every day,” Watson added. And now, in an effort to stop his immune system from attacking his kidneys, he must take a daily dose of chemotherapy.
McKenzie has returned home, but he has to be properly watched. He is only permitted to drink a pint and a half of water each day and cannot consume anything that are salty. He may relapse if his disorder is not under control. Sadly, this has happened six times, three of which required hospitalization.
We can tell when a person is going to relapse if they stop using the restroom for an extended period of time, according to Watson. His body begins to hold water, causing him to bloat.
Relapses are common, but it’s been said that with the correct treatment strategy, nephrotic syndrome may be kept under control, and symptoms usually go away once kids hit puberty.
To discover a cure, the family is soliciting money on GoFundMe. They have already raised $2,600 of their $2,600 goal in just one month, and Mckenzie’s uncle has created his own page to further the cause.
The boy’s father, Andy Watson, posted on Facebook Wednesday that Mckenzie’s progress has pleased the doctors. For three days in a row, his urine has tested negative for protein secretion!
Hope this cute guy gets his smile back. It’s a solid choice.